Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Indian Style Chicken Fried Rice

Recipe No:60
Many a times I used to get this doubt from my friends regarding the difference between Vegetable Pulav and Vegetable Fried Rice. Let me try to make it clear.
Vegetable Pulav is an Indian dish while Fried rice has a Chinese influence. Hence I consider them  different. I fry the rice before cooking Pulav and will never fry after cooking. For Fried rice I cook the rice in a regular manner in lots of water, drain and then fry the already cooked rice. Thus Fried Rice is excellent to use the left over rice. Technically speaking for Fried Rice because of its Chinese origin I try to avoid all Indian spices like Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Bay leaves etc:- and also Raisins and Cashew nuts and even Fried Onions.  In Pulav I add all these things.
So for me these two are really different and if you follow this, I am sure you will also be able to taste the difference. But cooking is all about your preferences and your taste buds…so go ahead and make it the way you like….This is how I make it
Ingredients                                   Serves 6-8 adults
  • Basmati Rice………………....2 Cups
  • Vegetable oil…………….......4 Tablespoons
  • Vegetables……………….......1 Cup (Includes Carrot, Beans, Peas and Green Capsicum)
  • Celery………………………......3 Tablespoons (Finely Chopped)
  • Onion………………………......1/4 Cup (Thin long slices)
  • Ginger-Garlic crushed…...2 Tablespoons (together)
  • Egg………………………………2
  • Cooked Shredded Chicken…1/2 Cup
  • Spring Onion Chopped………4 (Separate White and Green portions)
  • Soy Sauce………………………..1 Teaspoon
  • Pepper…………………………….3/4 -1 Teaspoon
  • Salt as per taste
Method of Preparation
  1. Wash and soak the rice in warm water for 20 minutes. Drain and keep aside.
  2. Boil at least 12 cups of water. When boiled add the rice and cook till almost done. Take care not to overcook the rice.
  3. Drain and spread it on a large plate to cool. If possible refrigerate before doing the rest. 
  4. In a large pan or wok on high heat add the oil.
  5. To it add Ginger-Garlic, Celery and Spring Onion whites. Saute for a minute.
  6. Add the Onion followed by the Vegetables and stir for 2 minutes. Don’t brown the veggies. It should be crisp.
  7. Move all the vegetables to a side of the pan and crack the eggs into the pan. Stir fast to scramble it.
  8. Once scrambled mix everything together add the chicken pieces, Soy sauce, Pepper powder and a bit of salt.
  9. Now mix the rice in two additions. Add salt according to taste. Stir till the rice is reheated.
  10. Finish by sprinkling spring onion greens on top. Serve hot.
Notes:
  • It is very important to start with cold rice. Otherwise there are chances for the rice to break or to form clumps.
  • The whole process of making the rice is on high heat so keep everything ready to go before starting.
  • It is good to use white Pepper powder, that way the rice will remain white. As you can see I used black and the specks are visible.
  • Never avoid Green/Spring Onions/  Scallions. They give a signature taste to the Fried rice.
  • If you want you can add a pinch of Aginomotto (Mono sodium Glutamate/ MSG) to get that authentic taste. But I decided not to use.
  • You can avoid Chicken and Egg to make it a Vegetable fried rice and add Fried Shrimp to make a Shrimp fried Rice.





Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
serve it to your family with love...

15 comments:

My Kitchen Antics said...

my fried rice never comes out good...the rice sticks whatsoever and so i have now lost my patience and don really bother 2 do so...
ur recipe sure sounds great and i shall def keep it in my mind the next time im a bit adventurous.

Munch said...

The fried rice and Chicken curry came out so well Asha. I loved the fried rice so much that I could just eat it on its own. Reminded me of the Indian style chinese fried rice that I was always craving for....thanks for adding this to your list!!!!!!!!!!

Asha said...

Thank You Manju.... Keep on trying the recipes and give comments....

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

asha chechi i tried this recipe.It came out really well and it is very easy tooo.THANKSSSSSSSSS

Unknown said...

This is one of the most yummy-looking and a must-try Indian recipes in your blog. It's so easy to make and really delicious. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Wow!.. That looks quite delicious! Would go well with a spicy fish/chicken curry. Few days back i decided to buy marinated fish online in Mumbai and am so thankful.. they were yummy.

Unknown said...

Nice article has been posted. I really enjoyed reading your this article and also did get lots of good points from here. thanks for sharing such article here.

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Unknown said...

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Really i found this article more informative, thanks for sharing this article.
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